Peter Napolitano, a well-known television icon affectionately referred to as Produce Pete, passed away on Jan. 26, 2026, at the age of 80.
Over his three-decade-long career, Napolitano shared his love for fresh produce with audiences on the Saturday morning segments of “Weekend Today” in New York, earning him a dedicated fan base in the region.
Steven Bognar, Managing Editor of WNBC-TV, revealed the news of Napolitano’s passing on the social media platform X, though the cause of death was not disclosed.
“For over 30 years, ‘Produce Pete’ was a familiar face on ‘Weekend Today in New York’ on Saturday mornings, sharing his knowledge on fruits, vegetables, and cooking,” said Amy Morris, senior vice president of news for NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47. She noted that he was a beloved member of their team, and the viewers shared this sentiment, as shown by their interactions with him at various events such as the Health Expo, Feeding Our Families food drives, and several farmers’ markets in New Jersey.
Napolitano was born on Feb. 23, 1945, in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and had an early start in the family’s produce business. His father, an immigrant from Italy, and Napolitano built a successful business, Napolitano’s Produce, in 1959. The store was a staple in Bergen County for more than five decades until its closure in 2006.
Napolitano’s skill and passion for fresh produce, which later charmed television audiences, were honed at his family’s market. He met his wife, Bette, when he was 16, and they got married in 1967. Their partnership extended into their professional lives, with Bette joining him in educating the public about cooking.
His television journey started in 1992 with a segment on NBC New York. Over the next 33 years, he provided practical advice on a range of topics, from choosing ripe melons to preparing seasonal vegetables, in a manner that resonated with home cooks of varying expertise.
Each of his segments ended with his well-known catchphrase: “If you eat right, you’re going to live right!” This simple mantra encapsulated his belief in the link between quality produce and overall health, a message that struck a chord with many viewers over several generations.
Despite his longstanding television success, Napolitano remained modest, often talking about his immigrant roots and his journey from working beside his father in their produce store to becoming a trusted resource in numerous households in the region.
Napolitano authored numerous books, sharing his expert knowledge with his readers. His first book, “Produce Pete’s Farmacopeia,” published in 1994, was a thorough guide on fruits and vegetables, offering detailed insights about selection, storage, and preparation. In 2023, he released his memoir, “They Call Me Produce Pete,” which offers a personal account of his life and career. The subsequent year, he and Bette co-authored “In The Kitchen With Bette & Produce Pete,” a cookbook that combined family recipes with decades of accumulated wisdom about produce.
In addition to his television and writing careers, Napolitano also conducted cooking classes at prestigious retailers, including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. These classes offered participants the opportunity to learn directly from him.
His dedication to promoting healthy eating habits extended to younger audiences as well. He visited schools in Bergen County and Englewood, New Jersey, encouraging students to cultivate good eating habits early in life. Through these educational visits, he hoped to make a lasting impact on their health and well-being.
Napolitano balanced his television career with community involvement, regularly appearing at farmers’ markets across New Jersey, thereby maintaining direct connections with his viewers. These interactions allowed him to treat viewers as neighbors rather than distant audience members.
His influence on local television and food culture in the New York metropolitan area extended across generations. Parents who grew up watching his segments introduced their children to Produce Pete, creating a multigenerational fan base that stood as a testament to the timeless appeal of his straightforward advice and authentic personality.
His expertise was rooted in more than 50 years of hands-on experience in the produce business, rather than formal culinary training.
Napolitano is survived by his wife, Bette, their two children, and seven grandchildren. His family occasionally joined him on his television segments, partaking in his joy of educating others about food and healthy living.